National Republican., 1887-01-11
THE PERMANENT EXPOSITION.
DIR. Loring's Address Before tho Senate
specInI Committee.

Tbe committee OF the Senate TO whom
was referred the memorial OF the board OF
promotion for the centennial celebration In
1859 aad the Worlds Exposition In Wash
ington in 1899 were addressed on Saturday
by the chairman OF the subcommittee OF the
memorial committee, Hon. George b.
Lofing, and by the secretary, Mr.. A. ID.
Anderson, on the objects OF the two cele-
bratioDs, and the mode OF organizing and
conducting them.
DIR. Loring, being called on by Senator
Sherman, the chairman of the Senate COM
mittee, commenced by stating that he ap-
peared at the request of the executive
committee OF an association organized In
Washington to promote a celebration of
the one hundredth anniversary of the ndop-
tion Of the constitution OF the United
States, and also Permanent Exposition Of
the Three Americas In celebration Of the
four hundredth anniversary OF the dis
covery OF America by Columbus. The
celebration of the establishment OF consti-
tutional republican government, he urged,
belonged essentially to the United States
and should be provided for by Congress.
While 1t might be In certain way prellm-
mary to more elaborate and In some re-
epects permanent celebration Of the dis
covery OF the continent, It should be made
as imposing and important as such an event
required. Nothing could be more interest
ing than proper exercises for such an oc-
casion In which the republics OF South
America should be invited to participate,
and to which all other nations should be
invited as guests by representatives prop
erly accredited. The resolutions adopted
by the convention at which the committee
was appointed suggested that the ceebra-
tion should extend over several days aud
include addresses by some Of the foremost
men of each republic. The proprlcty OF q
celebration OF this sort cannot be ques-
toned. Congress should appropriate at
least 500 GOO for the purpose, aud should
authorize the President to extend such
invitations to other powers as might with
propriety be present on the occasion. A
proper record of such an event would be
of great value not only In giving the views
of those who believe In and exercise popu-
lar government, but also In binding the
republics Of the world together In com non
cause, with a common understanding OF
the object and aims Of such governments.
For this celebration DIR. Loring urged an
appropriation Of sufficient sum to de-
fray the expenses and the appointment
of committee by Congress to make proper
arrangements for the occasion and to sec
tbat they are properly carried out.
From this DIR. Lorng passed to the con-
sideration OF the Permanent Exposition of
the three Americas to be held in 1892 In eel.
ebration Of the discovery. 1t is proposed
that this should be great industrial ex-
bibition, so organized as to aid In enlarglng
the national museum and the patent office,
and to provide accommodations for dis
play Of the products Of this and all other
countries which might be disposed to par
ticipate. The demand for an enlargement
Of the museum had already been made to
Prof. Baird, under whose care the largest,
most comprehensive, and valuable institu-
tion OF this kind In the world was rapidly
being developed. In extent and signih.
cance 1t is destined to surpass the British
museum, and by providing for its growth
at this time Congress could perform the dou-
BILE service Of supplying space and encourag-
ing large increase OF the objects properly
included in the design Of this interesting
attachment to the Smithsonian Institution.
Every dollar appropriated la this way
would serve double purpose. It would
provide for enlarging the museum and
would so far aid the proposed exhibition.
The erection Of proper building for the
patent office, DIR. Loring thought, was uni
versally recognized. The present accom-
nodations seem to be wholly insufficient.
Inventions are rapidly increasing. The
application OF power to working models
has become very important, and most in-
teresting and valuable part of the exhibit
tion would be commodious building de-
voted to display OF newly invented ma
tions for museum and patent office belong
to the legitimate work Of Congress, and
Will be required ere long in the ordinary
operations Of these departments.
In connection with these buildings, the
erection Of accommodations for an indus
tlial display to be made by the states and
by such foreign nations as would be in
clined to join would be necessary for the
completion Of the design Of the celebration.
OF the benefit Of exhibitions of the kind
proposed there Is now no doubt. The in
fluence Of the centennial exhibition at
Philadelphia in 1876 was felt at once, aud
is not yet lost. Throughout tie country
rapid improvement in art and architecture,
In ornamental work, in fine designs, in
machinery, in manufactured articles of
every description were made and have
been continued. At that time Congress
felt the force of these considerations, and
appropriated 81 100000 for the promotion
of the enterprise-in form of a loan, it is
true, but gift in case the receipts of the
exhibition were insufficient for repayment.
For the encouragement OF the exhibition at
New Orleans Congress appropriated 81 $780,
eco, the effect Of which In that section OF
the country became at once manifest. The
industries Of the country have felt the In.
luence of all exhibitions Of the kind pro.
posed; and there could be no more appro-
pirate recognition Of the vast Importance OF
exhibit of the wonderful growth In the arts
which has taken place since that event oc.
Cured. Should Congress provide the pro-
posed accommodations there can be no
doubt that the states would occupy read
lily and promptly the space provided
for them. 1t was not easy to
impress upon the state governments,
delphia exhibition, the Importance of that
opportunity 'for the presentation of the
work in which they were engaged. Many
Of the states did not appear at all, and
those which did appear came up reluct-
antly. Now, however, all this has changed,
and there is no doubt that a rivalry would
now exist among the states which would
result In most encouraging and
instructive display of the vast and compli.
Gated industry going on here at the present
time. The liberality manifested by Penn
eylvania and Philadelphia at the centennial
was so largely beneficial to that community
that the example then set would present
many temptations to the states and terri
tories engaged in this new enterprise. It is
instructive collection Of manufactured
goods, machirery, products Of the soil and
mines, means employed in production
aud transportation. What this might be
we have already learned,
In reply to the Senate committee Dir. Lor-
ing stated that, in his opinion. Washington
is eminently the proper place for the pro-
posed ceremonies and exhibition. The
adoption Of the constitution was one step
in the organization OF the government; the
selection of an appropriate place for carry
Ing on the government was another. 1t
could not be expected that in any existing
city or state this work could be conducted.
And when the District of Columbia was
dedicated to federal governmental work
the danger OF rivalry and contention on
that score was entirely avoided. DIR. Lorlng
also thought the work OF the exhibition
could better be done by board appointed
by Congress than bya corporation organized
as ut PHILADELPHIA. The memorial presented